A Practical Implementation Of A Distributed Control Approach For Microgrids

Abstract

Abstract Public low voltage feeders containing a mixture of several micro-sources, distributed energy storage units (ESUs) and controllable loads, which appear to the upstream distribution network as controllable entities, are known as MicroGrids. Through intelligent co-ordination of micro-generators and ESUs, coupled with demand side management techniques, MicroGrids have the potential to offer significant improvements in the commercial value and environrnental impact of installed micro-generators. Furthermore, using appropriate active control techniques, MicroGrids could potentially overcome the low voltage distribution network constraints associated with high levels of micro-generation. The reseazch described in this paper builds upon previous research carried out at Durham University, which proposed a preliminary distributed control approach for MicroGrids. The fast steps in this approach have now been implemented using agent technology on the laboratory based Experimental MicroGrid at Durham Universi...